I signed up for my first sprint triathlon this summer & was super excited until I realized that I hadn't rode a bike since the 5th grade, much less owned one since then. What I know about bikes I could fit in a thimble, so after talking to a few people & going to a clinic at Gregg's I decided to look for a 2nd hand bike. I had been scoping out Craigslist for a while, hoping to score a decent used road bike, but no luck. So I decided to visit Recycled Cycles. I'll admit I was a little nervous going to RC after reading some of the reviews of poor customer service from previous reviewers. I already knew I'd off come as a bumbling idiot when it came to bikes, but I decided to brave the waters & give them a try. I called the shop to make sure they'd be opened during a holiday (Good Friday) & a friendly-sounding guy named Alex answered. I felt a little better after speaking with an employee & finding out firsthand that they weren't all jerks as the previous reviews had said. The shop wasn't too hard to find & thankfully they had a free parking lot next door because I was there for a while. The outside had rows & rows of used bikes for sale. Most of them actually looked in pretty good shape for used bikes. Some looked a little ancient. Inside were even more used bike & a section of new bikes. After wandering around for a bout 10 minutes I had a curly brunette employee named Megan ask if I needed any help. I told her about the triathlon & how I was looking for an entry level bike that wouldn't break my budget. She didn't make me feel bad about knowing zilch about bikes & patiently pulled bike after bike off the racks & ceiling so that I could give them a test ride. I did put 2 bikes on hold (REI was also having a 20% off novara bikes sale) & I also wanted to see what else was out there. The next day I received a call from Alex from RC saying that there was a lady that was interested in one of the bikes I had put on hold. I had decided I did not want the bike afterall & appreciated that the shop called. Overall I would say my experience at RC has been both positive & informative. Megan was extremely helpful & knowledgable (I later learned it was only her 2nd day on the job & that they had let go a few people after seeing numerous negative reviews & receiving complaints). I would definitely return to RC in the future. read more

I went there to buy a bike. I told the guy what I wanted and my price range and he begrudgingly showed me a bike. It didn't seem like I was worthy of his attention so I spent my money elsewhere. In general they don't have many second-hand bikes. You might want to try 20/20 Cycles or Bikeworks if that's what your after. read more

Love these guys I've been visiting them for over 15 years. I bought a brand new bike from them in 2016 and every bike item I've bought has always been through them. I can't say enough I've just always had a good experience with them. The other day I walked in for a tune up and was told I didn't need one because I rarely use my bike. So the were ready to help at no cost. Oiled up may chain and helped with some minor complaints I had. They were able to fix them very quickly and cheaply. read more

I love Recycled Cycles. I have built a single speed using their parts and, at times, knowledge of obscure bicycle technology. I have also taken my $2500 carbon road bike there for service and I have been very pleased. I think their retail help is very spotty, but for service, they are top flight. Excellent bike shop. EDIT: I was just in the shop today. I came in with a problem trying to get a childrens 'tow behind' bike attached to my city cruiser (with my VERY talkative child in tow I might add). Not exactly a sexy problem. Gee, you talk to those hipsters in service, and I bet they are going to blow you off, right? WRONG. The fella that helped me kicked ass, and sorted out a solution on the spot. I bought the parts (a good deal I should note), and he didn't charge a dime for service. If your looking for some kind of 'Gee grandpa, lets head to the bike store and have lolipops' shopping experience, then go elsewhere. But a year from now, when your bike is not working properly, and you want some honest, and VERY high quality service to fix that chinese made POS you bought at the 'other' store, then take it to Recycled Cycles. They will set your right. That all said, if you check the used bike racks outside, you can find some great deals on a bike in excellent shape. read more

Yes, you have to wait. Yes, the staff isn't always that attentive and yes, there's no air conditioning! Buuuuuuut, once you are actually able to flag someone down (after standing around shuffling your feet for 15 minutes) it's worth the wait. Needed to find a bike for the hubby's bday. I knew he was looking for something called a hybrid, and that he prefers drop handle bars (this could not make less sense to me). So I enlisted the help of James who, despite the heat on that 90 degree day, had a ton of energy and was able to listen to me ramble incoherently about what I needed and then walk me through why there really isn't a true "hybrid" bike, ask me all the right questions about commuting to trail biking ratio, and ultimately tease out of me what Matt needed despite my embarrassing lack of knowledge of everything bicycle. We ended up deciding on a used model (I don't remember what it's called but I remember they called the color "rootbeer" - cute!) and then slapped some fenders on there and bought some sort of industrial strength lock thingy. While they were installing the fenders we had about half an hour to wait so we made a b-line for Agua Verde, hoping against hope that they would have one table open...I don't know what we were thinking. So we decided to head over to the Northlake Tavern (ugh, see previous post). Anyway, James helped us cram the bike into my Passat and away we went! If we ever need to get work done on the bike (or buy one for me, perhaps?) we'll come here without a second thought. read more

and a half. Yeah halfs are kinda bs but had to go there. I'm really torn to be honest. This place really does fall right in the middle from my recent experience. Literally half the people I dealt with were awesome. Incredibly helpful and knew what they were doing and the other half seemed clueless. The biggest thing and for me this is why I rounded down, was that you could stand around in that place for I'm guessing half a day and be ignored by all 10 of the staff members that walk by you. The good. I had my bike looked at quick and was charge very little for a quick (emphasis on the quick) tune up ($5 later I part 1 was done). Then the hard part....renting a bike. This is where I got to stand around waiting for help for a long time. In the end I would go back but if you are renting a bike go early! Especially if it's a nice out. Even if you'd rented you probably want to get there early to beat the crowds. Also there is a paid parking lot across the street to leave your car behind which is nice. read more

Awesomeness!!! I love to cycle and went in here just to check it out. I fell in love instantly (no, not the pretty girl behind the counter, but she was easy on the eyes). They are just what the name implies. Recycled bikes. They have tons of beautiful used bikes fixed back up to "like new" condition and at good prices. Not only that but bins and bins of parts for every type of bike. It would be hard to not find what you were looking for. It had one of the best "atmospheres" of any bike shop I've ever been to. I must have browsed around the store for over an hour. When I'm ready to get another bike, this will be my first stop. :) read more

Selection of well-priced used parts is great (I'm building a "Frankenstein-Heinz 57" road bike aka a "rat bike") and the shop is well-stocked with new parts too and help that provides an amount of expertise to guide you in the proper direction. I picked up about 6 parts that collectively were about $45. For comparison's sake, one of these parts, a seven speed Shimano freewheel with a low-low 35 tooth gear was selling on E-Bay for $35 plus shipping. I concur the greeting one receives is a bit too edgy for the shops' own good, but how many times a day do they get asked the same questions from novices or ill-advised bike know-it-alls? It would seem local bike shops constantly get price shopped against mega sporting goods stores or places like Target or WalMart. Clearly, the price of a bike assembled by a WalMart cashier versus what you'd pay for the bike from a professional shop is significantly less, however, this is no bargain in the long run, even if the components and bike quality are the same or comparable. I think they have a good selection of used bikes for most budgets and I don't believe they sell junk bikes at any price. Towards the end of the summer, prior to the start of the UW fall quarter, I believe the have a huge selection of bikes that were rebuilt and rejuvenated from the prior school year's abandoned bike selection. There are a lot of bikes that were nearly new that mommy and daddy bought for their college student for transportation and the bike never made it out of its U-lock. A little chain lube, pump up the tires, and it's good to go. Parking can sometimes be iffy. There's a 2-hour off-street lot nearby (free) plus on-street pay parking and a pay lot across the street. The location is a bit hard to find the first time. It is down the street from Agua Verde. read more

I know NOTHING about bikes. So I set out to find out about them, as so many people in this city seem to be on them. Recycled Cycles was where I went and the staff was great - answered all my questions with great knowledge and were not pushy 'salesmen' at all. Which I was very impressed with as so many people in this city will talk to you until you drop dead on the spot. Although I did not leave with a bike (as hell did not freeze over ) I have a great understanding of what I would be looking for if i change my mind. Recycled Cycles has a major selection of new and used bikes and all sorts of new and used parts. It's in a great location and if anyone is interested in a bike - this is the place to check out. read more

I recently went to Recycled Cycles to look for a set of used MTB pedals. I found a $10 well-used set that I thought would work, but wanted to make sure they would work with the cleats on my current pair of shoes. When I asked one of the employees for assistance, he gladly pulled one of their brand-new bikes off the racks, pulled off it's pedals, then let me put my pedals on so I could test them out. I found them to be just fine and bought them. In short, their people go out of their way to help you: whether it's a $10 or a $1000 sale. read more

3 miles away from home, already running late to take the pooch out for his evening walk, I get an effin' flat. I just replaced both tubes all of a week ago. REALLY?? I mean really of all the days. I am sweaty (I work up in Lake Forest Park), not too mention worried that my dog is in misery and all I can think of is "please just hold it - I'll be right there". Got my tube...excellent. There was still some air in the tire so I figured I could just fill it and roll the rest of the way. Well... they have this bike pump out front that is a piece of shit. Standing there like a complete moron I can't fill my tire - what's the deal? One of the guys that works there passed me, I asked about it and he said, "yeah that one sucks" and walked by. Gee thanks...like I couldn't have figured that out on my own. The only reason why I am giving this place 4 stars is because one of the guys who worked there realized that I really needed help and filled my tire with enough air to get me to Eastlake. Which meant a lot of air. Nice! And he was cool about it - Thankfully the air in the tube held to just about my apartment. Thanks nice guy with the tatts - you rock. read more

OK, my review is overdue. I've purchased 4 bikes, many bike parts, clothing and bike accessories over the last 7 years from Recycled Cycles. Each time, my shopping experience has been great. It doesn't matter which sales person or mechanic I've talked to, they have been across the board, superb. Each time I've shopped, I've never felt rushed, or felt like I am inconveniencing any of them asking basic questions. Most importantly, I get treated respectfully and honestly. I like the stores approach of not having sales commissions so I don't feel like I've been up sold in any way. I go in there pretty sure of what I want and when I talk to a sales person, I feel like they are listening to me, and they want me to get exactly what I am looking for. It is true, you may have to wait a while while they are with another customer, but they are spending important time with them, just like they will do with you when they get freed up. This last purchase, my bike was on back order from the Manufacture for an extended period. I was patient, there were no bikes to be had, so what can you do? Scott, from the warehouse, called me when a bike that was very close to what I had ordered became available. It really worked out perfectly; I got a bike that was better than the one I ordered and it was less than the 2011 because it was an overstock from Europe. Alex, Andy, Scott and Jason all treated me great, and I will definitely buy more bikes from you guys. read more

I love recycled cycles! I bought my first commuting bike here two years ago when I was just getting started with my car-free lifestyle. The guys at the shop were super helpful setting me up with my new bike at the time, and ever since then have ALWAYS provided high quality, super affordable, and timely maintenance. No question or issue is to big or too small- every time I come in here the mechanics and sales people are nothing but incredibly friendly, helpful, and professional. Such a gift for an amateur like me starting out in the somewhat esoteric world of bikes. Plus, they always have great music playing! read more

This is the friendliest bike store I have been to in Seattle. Over the past week I have visited most all of them, and I ended up coming back to Recycled Cycles because they happen to have a large inventory of Raleigh bikes in lots of sizes making test drives for a tall person like me a reality. I ended up getting my bike in here because they also will buy your used bike or consign in. I opted for the buy option since I could get a store credit and use it to purchase my bike. I've worked with 3-4 sales people here and one mechanic and every experience has been fantastic. Highly recommended. read more

We got bicycles from Recycled Cycles yesterday. I had to have mine adjusted quite a bit- I would suggest to people who are 5"2 to get the Small bike option. The trail is fairly easy to get to and there is a bike path leading to it. About six miles in there is a beach, which people can swim at if they want. The path is slightly bumpy, so make sure you're prepared for that. The people who work at Recycled Cycles are very helpful and the transaction is easy- go inside, pay, pick a helmet, and they have the bikes waiting for you outside. A little bike adjustment, and you're off! I'd suggest to people who are used to mountain bikes or other similar bikes where you don't have to stretch your arms or to short people that they get a hybrid bike- it's very uncomfortable to have to stretch your arms completely to get to the handlebars. I'd go to Recycled Cycles again. One other thing is that if you like it and want to go back the next morning, it's only $20. But they open at 10 no matter what. read more

This review is for their rental service, which costs $30/day, $60/overnight, and $180/week (as of July 2013). The price includes helmets and lock, and is slightly cheaper than the other bike shop (Counterbalance) close to UW. They also pack you a spare tube and repair kit in case you get a flat, though you'll have to borrow someone else's pump. My bike didn't come with lights, so you should ask about that if you're planning to take the bike overnight. I would recommending calling to make a reservation if you're an unusual size or want a specific type of bike. A friend joined me last minute at 2 pm and was unable to get a cruiser/hybrid that he preferred, though he ended up renting a road bike. I was pretty happy with the Raleigh Capri they offered me. Everyone I interacted with at the shop was very friendly, laid back, and happy to chat about routes. Some bicycle shops have a pretentious roadie boy's club feel to them (maybe that's more common in California...), but we both felt comfortable and welcomed here. Good stuff. read more

If you are in the mood for cycling-based tattoos and other symptoms of bicycle addiction, this is the shop for you. Further, if you like rummaging around bins of used bike components, you'll love it here. Their labor price for assembling an entire bike from your frameset and components of your choice is one hundred dollars. That is a steal. True story: I brought in a frameset and picked parts from the bins, chose a new wheelset, tires and stuff, and these guys put it together for a grand total of $420.00. Not surprising since it seems to be 4:20 all day long in this shop. Lots of help available, plenty of attitude but what do you expect from people who only care about bikes. They're fine. They've always been quick to do a repair on the spot in my experience. read more

Absolutely love Recycled Cycles. It's definitely my preferred LBS (local bike shop). Why? The used parts bins. You have to go often if you're looking for something specific, but it's great when you've got a bike you're working on, or have something you want but aren't in a rush to get. When you find it, it's kind of like finding a dollar bill on the street. I've bought stuff like stems, skewers, cogs, cassettes, shifters, derailleurs, and other various parts from those bins. When the prices aren't clearly marked (usually on smaller ticket items) what you pay is kinda luck of the draw, depending on what your cashier decides to charge. I've had that work for and against me at times. All-in-all, I go there for the used parts bins. I really can't recall ever buying anything new from there. If you're trying to build up a bike or upgrade an existing one on the cheap, this is your place. Of course, this only works if you have time to wait and search around somewhat regularly. Even if you're not broke, it's still nice to know that you're playing a part in the recycling process by reusing parts that may have just been left stored or thrown away. Besides, who doesn't enjoy finding a gem of a good deal every once in awhile? read more

My wife and I bought our bikes here about a month ago. While we both had an idea of what would we like to do with our bikes, frankly didn't know about brands and styles. The service was fantastic. The girl that helped us took the time to explain to us about all kinds of bikes, and we tried about 5 or 6 of them before choosing the final ones. But again, most shops will be really friendly when they're selling to you. Fast forward to last weekend: my mid-gear started giving me some trouble when shifting from 1st to 2nd. And at some point it got stuck. I took it to the shop yesterday and they found out the chain was almost broken. Without even checking my ticket, they fixed it and provided adjustment, and in less than 5 minutes I was out! To me, buying in a local shop is all about service; you might get a slightly better price buying elsewhere, but good luck if it breaks. After yesterday, I really feel I can trust these guys. read more

I have been here twice now and both times, I have received exemplary customer service. The first time I was there, was for a basic bike rack and the person that helped me out was very helpful and gave me his unbiased opinion on what was best for me and not the most expensive option. Second time I came in, was after I had my bike serviced at another LBS and after two days of riding mainly on the Burke-Gilman trail, the rear wheel was severely warped and damaged. I was near Recycled Cycles, so I brought my bike in, and had Justin look at it. After a few minutes he told me the rear wheel was damaged beyond repair and would have to be replaced. I was surprised the wheel was in such bad shape after it had only been a couple of days since another LBS had serviced and tuned the bike yet they made no mention of such weakness or potential damage to the rear wheel. Justin was super helpful in helping find a replacement and also in dealing with the while issue. While in the shop, I was able to get in touch with the LBS I originally purchased the bike from and they said they would warranty the wheel. I had to get from Recycles Cycles to this other LBS and recycled cycles was kind enough to lend me a loaner wheel at no cost. Seriously, that just speaks volumes to the awesome people they have working here. I definitely intend to continue going to Recycled Cycles and if you have never checked them out, you should. You will not be disappointed. read more

I am a super super novice at riding bikes. This morning I was riding my bicycle to work for the first time ever, and I was going *so* slowly and pedaling was *super* hard, and because I am an idiot, I thought probably I just sucked at biking so I was trying to just keep going... but holy crap my legs hurt so since I was in the area, I decided to stop by Recycled Cycles and get my bike checked out. I basically walked in and said, "Hi, I have a question about my bike. I don't understand anything about bicycles, but my bike is super hard to ride and I don't know why." Turns out the tires were really really flat! D'oh. The guy who fixed my tires was seriously *so* nice about it, and he didn't treat me like I was dumb or anything even though I am an idiot who has been riding with flat tires for like 4 months lol. He was really friendly and fun, fixed up my bike for free, told me that sooner or later the bike should probably get some maintenance but for now I was good to go! It was a really pleasant experience and made the rest of my trip to work CONSIDERABLY easier!! I've also gone to Recycled Cycles on separate occasions to pick up my helmet, bike lock, and bike lights and every time I've been treated with kindness and helpfulness. This is definitely my go-to place for all my bike woes now! :) read more

I came here looking for a new (or used) roadbike and found one I kind of liked, but my options were limited. It's a place with lots of options, friendly staff, and decent prices. Sadly, though, I didn't find what I was looking for here. PROS: 1. Quite a large selection of both used and new bikes. Though, the name of the store is kind of misleading as most of the bikes are new (as opposed to "recycled"). 2. Super friendly staff. I walked in and eyed some bikes and was immediately approached by someone. When he went away for a second, I was immediately approached by someone else. People really want to talk to you and help! 3. If you go in January, there have lots of models from the previous year on sale. Woot! CONS: 1. Not a ton of bikes for someone with my short height (my range if 45-49 cm). Only 2 or 3. 2. The staff were friendly, but perhaps not the most knowledgeable. I really knew nothing about what I wanted and the guys didn't really have to much to ask me or offer me. They asked me what I wanted and I made shit up and they didn't question why or propose alternatives. Seems like most of the staff are college kids who ride, but who don't really know much. read more

I needed to get a new bike for commuting to work since I had bought one a few years back from Performance Bicycle that was just too small and inefficient for riding. Greg and another employee were simply awesome in asking me about my needs and explaining the features and the benefits in an easy to understand way. They walked me through my options and suggested a thorough test ride which helped me really assess which I liked better. Ultimately they also were able to help me with a bike that fits and feels awesome - and I ordered it in a cuter color! I'm super satisfied with my experience - they were honest, helpful and very trustworthy. Plus, they were nice to my dog children! read more

Recycled Cycles is a good entry point for bicyclists not yet ready to commit in full to the Lycra lifestyle. They take pride in their repair work and are willing to spend the time listening to you to find the best fit for your needs. Their selection of new bikes is somewhat limited, but in a way that fits the scope of their customers needs. Their offerings are geared towards the urban cyclist and/or commuter who wants a good bike but isn't trying to shell out the big bucks or win Le Tour de France. I bought a new bike from R.C. when I was just starting to get serious about biking, and a used one many moons later. If you are willing to lurk for a while, they do have great deals on used bikes. After speaking with Adam (I think) for a while about what I wanted, which was admittedly overly specific, and he said they didn't have anything like that but I should check out the Fremont shop because they had a titanium frame conveniently in my size, (57cm- inconveniently a size rarely stocked in the US because 'Murica) and had I ever heard about Ti frames? I hadn't. Try it I did. Buy it, I did. Don't be afraid of asking questions. That said, it's a very good idea to do some basic research on bikes before you come in, at least to the point of knowing what kind of riding you want to do and what style of bike you want. Like any humans, they have their biases and might get steer towards things you don't want before you both agree that you want what you want, as long as they have it. I spent a lot of time trying different bikes and talking about the differences in various elements of bikes- if you demonstrate a desire to know more about bikes, the guys at R.C. are more than willing to share what they know. Being riders themselves, they tend to be enthusiastic about their profession/vocation/hobby/lifestyle. Recycled Cycles won't take all your money, and sometimes they will even talk you out of purchases that you think you want, but actually don't. They will, however, give your bike great care at a very reasonable price. read more

Excellent customer service! I recently broke a wheel and took it in to this shop. I got a great deal on a used wheelset that unfortunately popped a spoke the very next day. Even though it was a used wheelset, Max and the gang went the extra mile to make it right. Kudos to you all. read more

My friend was visiting from Chicago and we needed to rent her a bike as I'm training for the STP. The whole process was very easy, although took us a little longer since he had to saw off part of the seat stem so my short friend could fit their smallest bike. They had nice bikes to rent for a reasonable price ($20 for 6 hours, $45 for 12 hours). Also, she didn't have to use her credit card to put a down payment on the bike. Very friendly, helpful crowd. Will definitely be back! read more

I've been bike hunting for a while now, and I came into this not knowing very much at all about what I want/need in a bike. I'm very happy I went here first, because I was given a bunch of information on how to choose a bike. When I told the person helping me that I was going to be looking other places, he gave me a bunch of information about what to look for in used bikes from places such as Craigslist. I mean, what salesperson tells you how to look for their product in other places? An AWESOME one! I've now gone to a few other places, and though the salespeople are nice, they haven't come close in terms of giving information and assistance, and I always feel pressured to get something that I'm not so sure about. It did take a few minutes for someone to help me when I walked in, and I could see someone losing patience and walking out, thinking the customer service isn't good. I can't give five stars as I didn't actually purchase anything (yet), but my experience there was great. read more

Recycled Cycles Seattle, WA 98105 came here for a box to send a bike to my college student ,,, no charge and VERY HELPFUL PEOPLE ,,, read more

Two of my girlfriends and I flew in for the Seattle Danskin triathlon in August, and we had reserved our bike rentals with Recycled Cycles. The rental process went very smoothly and I would recommend Recycled Cycles without hesitation. We picked up our rental Friday night. When we arrived that evening, 2 of our bikes were there, and the 3rd bike had been rented out and hadn't been returned. We waited for a little bit, and when the 3rd bike didn't show up, the guys at Recycled Cycles brought out a brand new bike for my friend to use as a rental so we wouldn't have to wait any longer! Recycled Cycles is conveniently located by a bike trail, where we were able to test out our bikes. We were able to take our bikes out for a spin, and they gladly adjusted whatever we needed. I had trouble reaching the brakes on the handlebars, so they fixed that for me - I don't remember what the part was called (they were these little plastic wedges that could be inserted), but they opened a package they were going to sell and installed it on the bike for me! This made the brakes much easier to reach on the handlebars. They really took care of us. If I ever do the Seattle Danskin again, I will most definitely be renting from Recycled Cycles again. read more

I got my bike from Recycled Cycles in December. I was impressed with how knowledgeable the staff was. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted and didn't know what size I needed. The guy who helped me spent at least 30 minutes showing me different bikes and features before I found one I wanted to test drive. I didn't feel like he was just trying to make a sale - he was pretty passionate about cycling and didn't want me to make a bad choice. Once I made my decision, he helped me pick out a couple of accessories (which were actually on sale!) and had my bike tuned. I love my bike and I appreciate the service. There are a ton of bike shops in Seattle (trust me, I visited at least 7), but I recommend trying this place first! read more

The parts are a little pricier than other used bike stores, like bikeworks, but their selection is a little more vast. BUT, I still prefer to go to bikeworks when I can, because I enjoy bikework's friendly atmosphere - the people ARE nicer. With Recycled Cycles, the bike mechanic staff is hit and miss... some are really nice, and some are just fuck-faces who thinks being a bike mechanic is hot shit. Sorry, buddy, don't put yourself in the level of a car mechanic or mechanical engineer. So sometimes you'll get that elitist attitude here, but oh well. So my recommendation, if you get a dickhead salesman or mechanic, just ask another one... cause that's what I do to get what I want out of this store. You pay good money for this stuff, expect good service... if you don't get it, go to another store - we're in AMERICA, it's he capitalist way! read more

The name "Recycled" Cycles might be a bit misleading as the used selection at this shop is fairly picked over and makes up a very small part of the overall inventory. There still are a few gems here and there if you happen to stumble in at the right time. New bicycle selection is a bit disappointing as well... The large staff can make your visit hit or miss. Generally the staff is friendly and helpful, although some members don't seem to know anything about bicycles (blond girl working the counter). The service department seems to have their stuff together and can answer most questions you have. Most of the sales people are friendly and don't mind spending the extra time with you to find what you need (tall friendly guy, Matt?) Still one of the better shops in town, but they are in danger of losing this status if they continue to downsize their used selection. read more

These guys are great. Helpful, friendly service from experts who don't make you feel like a dolt for not being one. The guy who installed my tires had to do extra work due to the fact that I had to leave my bike outside for several months. He didn't complain a bit, fixed something extra, and then made sure I knew I had a discount coming for having a UW commuter pass. Then, another couple of staff members helped me mount the uninstalled tires with zip-ties to me rack. This shop truly rocks. It has integrity, good workers, and a friendly atmosphere. It's justly busy because everyone knows how great it is. read more

I bought lights, fenders and used toe clips and since it wasn't too busy, one guy spent 15 minutes finding the right nuts and bolts for me to attach the toe clips. Thanks! read more

A good place to go when you need a cheap deraileur for that beater project or need to unload some parts and don't want to deal with the hassle of the whole e-Bay/Craigslist thing. Not too many shops even bother with selling used parts so this is a big plus for the DIY crowd. Their new bike selection is skewed more towards bikes for real people rather than the Lance wannabe poser bikes you see at other shops. Right now they mainly focus on Raleigh and Kona (both local companies) as well as the QBP empire (Salsa, Surly, etc) It's not the place to go if you're a hardcore trail rider, techno geek with more money than brains, or hipster doofuss looking for NJS parts for your fixie. For everyone else it's a great shop. Like any bike shop (and I've worked in plenty!) the people can be a mixed bag ranging from super friendly experts to rocks with lips. Considering most bike shop employees make less than the people behind the counter at Starbucks this is to be expected. read more

2 stars are for the used parts, which are cheap. Barring the cheap parts, the review would have to be 1 or 0. I can't understand reviews noting the wait time (40 minutes my last time in), being treated poorly by staff, and somehow ending with a positive experience. I've been into Recycled Cycles since it started up - a long, long time ago when it was more simply a collection of used parts. I loved it. Over the years, still a fan. With that said, over the last 6 months I've been in the store 4 times, each the same basic experience. 1) Wait at the service counter and be ignored. 2) Follow that up with trying to find somebody else that will help - find them - and then have them tell you to head to the service counter. 3) Try to politely get the attention of somebody behind the counter. 4) Be ignored. The last time I went in, after step 4 I asked again for help. I was told by the guy, leaning against the Coke machine - doing nothing - that he couldn't help me find a part. It was too busy, "bike shop in the summer time, man" was all I got. Then he proceeded to...lean on the Coke machine again. If you have the patience to be treated this way, then have a blast. I can only put up with this so many times before my patience wears out. read more

I have not made any purchases at this place but the review is based on my short encounter here. Service was excellent!! I was looking for a used bike and found this store on Google. Unfortunately, their used bike selection was very limited because I visited after the start of school year rush at UW. In my few minutes if enquiry, one of the staff gave me a list of other used bike stores as well as my bike measurements without me asking. They even told me that if I wanted to get a bike next door at 2nd Base, I can ride it to their shop and have it looked by a mechanic before purchasing. Since the other used bike recommendations I received at the store were farther, I did exactly that. I went next door, picked out two bikes, and brought them to Recycled Cycles one by one. The staff was so patient with me and told me about the MSRP of the bike new, and gave me points to consider to make my decision. In my whole time browsing in the store, the staff were not pushy about selling their products. It seems like a store full of people who just love the sport of cycling and want to help. The store itself is a lot bigger than the Fremont location, and since they're so close, you might as well come to this one (the two stores are on the same bus route too). It was interestingly decorated with vintage bikes and accessories on the ceiling. The selection is excellent for all your cycling needs from clothing, shoes, to accessories and parts. Highly recommend a visit! read more

Totally exceptional knowledge and service, way above and beyond. I needed new tires, fenders, and a rack for my touring bike; my old shop closed a bit ago, and I was in the market for a new neighborhood bike store. Not only did the folks at Recycled Cycles set me up with all the gear I needed, but when I mentioned that budget was a factor, they went out of their way to source me with good quality, mostly used parts. I got out of there with about half the bill I'd expected. They helped me cut costs by installing most of it myself, with the opportunity to ask them questions and get my work checked. I think I was there for the better part of two hours, and they were totally patient, even with some fairly novice questions. John taught me to change my tires, and spent about twice as long with me explaining things as he would have if he'd just done it himself, and now I can change bike tires! Alexander helped troubleshoot my installation of fenders and a back rack. Both of them were exceptionally patient, helpful, and informative. I realize I should mention: I called ahead before I did this, so please don't go in assuming that they always have time to do this, based on this review. Assisted installations aren't a formal service they offer--there are places (like Cascade Bicycle Club) that can also teach you how to maintain and repair your bike. I called in and asked if they could teach me how to change the tires, and they said they'd be happy to, if I came in at a slow time. The rest of it was only possible because of timing and customer flow, so adjust your expectations accordingly. A quick observation, as I was in the store for some time, working on my bike: the folks at Recycled Cycles treat each other with a high level of professionalism and respect, even when they're goofing around. Bring that same respect to the table when you come in here, and you'll have an experience that is truly out of this world. read more

I'm the second generation in my family to frequent Recycled Cycles, and there's good reason for that. I'll write about a recent experience that sums up why I love Recycled Cycles. I recently bought a new to me Felt Verza City hybrid bike via Craigslist and immediately brought it into Recycled Cycles for a tune-up and to get some accessories. The fellows in the repair shop took a look at the bike and then showed me what it needed and explained why. They mentioned that my chain would need replacing at some point, but said it didn't need to be replaced yet. That's a good example of how Recylced Cycles doesn't try and upsell me. A sales associate helped me pick a rack and fenders. Once I had those selected, the fellow from the repair shop gave me a quote for the work he planned to do and installing the accessories. This was on a Sunday afternoon, and he estimated that they'd have my bike done by Thursday. I got a call on Tuesday saying it was done, but the shop could also hold onto it until later in the week (which was actually helpful). I appreciated the fast and honest service. I ended up deciding to trade-in to Recycled Cycles the road bike I was replacing with my new hybrid. I brought my old bike into the shop, and a mechanic confirmed the trade-in value that a different mechanic had given me a month earlier when I'd first started shopping for a new bike and knew my old one would have to go. The mechanic then helped me transfer accessories like my pump holder, lock mount, and Cateye from the old bike I was trading-in to my new bike. I'd been planning on doing these things myself, but I really appreciated the professional help - it was great to ride away with my new bike all set up and outfitted. I wanted to use the saddle from my old bike on my new one, and doing that required a different seat post. The mechanic helped me find one from one of the used bins, and when he rang me up for the work on my new-to-me hybrid, he threw in the seat post for free. That was a lot of detail, but it captures my experience every time I've come into Recycled Cycles - the staff are helpful, don't upsell you, explain what your bike needs and why if you're having repairs done, give you helpful info about retail products, and get repair work and tune-ups done by the date they promise or before. Lastly, I like that Recycled Cycles gives used bikes and parts new lives. It helps cut down on waste and helps people get on bikes in an affordable way. I will happily keep spending my money at this local business! read more

Maybe I'm a little biased because the boyfriend knows a lot of people who work here.... However, I bought my first bike since my Huffy in 6th grade here recently. The people were friendly and helpful. They had some bikes on sale pretty cheap and the guy helping me directed me toward exactly what I was looking for. That was nice because he stayed in my price range and didn't laugh too much at me for not knowing crap about bikes. read more